Media centre

Thursday 24 Feb 2005

PHOTOCALL: TRANSPORT MINISTER VISITS ESK VALLEY

Region & Route:

Date:                           8 March 2005 Time:                          4.30 pm Location:                    Whitby Station Event:                         Join Hon. Tony McNulty MP, Minister for Transport as he visits the Esk Valley. Media contact:          Carolyn Watson, 01904 522825        You are invited to join Hon. Tony McNulty MP, Minister for Transport, as he unveils a plaque at Whitby Station to mark the completion of almost two miles of track renewal on the Esk Valley line and the start of a new chapter for the route. Network Rail completed the ‘last two miles’ of track renewal from Sleights to Whitby earlier this month.  This allowed an existing weight restriction to be removed and the first steam trains are scheduled to return to Whitby on 5 and 6 of March. The Minister will visit the track renewal site before heading to Whitby Station to unveil a plaque to mark this memorable occasion.  Following the unveiling the Minister will meet with local stakeholders and rail industry representatives to discuss the future of rail and the Esk Valley. Dyan Crowther, Route Director, Network Rail said: “I have been encouraged by the level of local interest in the renewal of the remaining two miles of track.  “The completion of the renewal and the Minister’s visit will mark the start of a new future for the Esk Valley railway line.”